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damianwayne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I think a book like this requires an entirely serious and complex review and I don’t feel as though I’m up to the task, partly because I’m still reeling by the sheer existential dread this book has made me feel. I want to stare at a blank wall and cry for days, whilst simultaneously overthinking and not thinking at all. I wish I was a native German speaker because in translation this was gorgeously written, so I can only imagine what the original text must be like.
All Quiet on the Western Front showcases fruitless nature of war and patriotism during wartime when those running the country care so little about the individual. It did not shy away from the inescapable grotesque horrors of war. I think Remarque made efforts to utilise his personal experience in the war to make sure it was not glamourised.
As for characters, there are many and not all of them last long enough to make a lasting impression on the readers or indeed Paul. Kat(czinsky) was definitely the most powerful out of all his brothers in arms. Their relationship was fundamental to Paul’s arc. Paul Bäumer himself is so well written, and you can feel how much of a child he still is. War both forces him to grow up, and stunts his growth. He lacks maturity yet also immaturity. He is a truly lost, tortured soul and I was yearning for him to find his way back to living.
Overall, this book was gorgeous and the apparent sequel terrifies me. I loved this book but I also simultaneously would never want to read it again. Or maybe I would. I genuinely don’t know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
sarareadsxxx13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Blood, and War
crouth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
elisabeth888's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is probably the most graphic and depressing novel I have ever read. While originally written in German, none of the effectiveness and pain in Remarque's writing is lost through its English translation. Remarque's novel demonstrates the stupidity of war - how young, poor men (who are really only children) are forced to sacrifice their lives only to profit their government and military leaders.
Throughout the novel, the main character, Paul Bäumer, and his fellow soldiers become lost and dissociated as they attempt to navigate through the horrific reality of war. The soldiers in themselves embody a complex role - they are victims to their government's greed but they are also aggressors to the enemies, who are men and boys just like themselves.
I see many similarities and differences to Tim O'Brien's biography "If I Die in a Combat Zone" which delves into O'Brien's experience as an American foot soldier in the Vietnam War. While Remarque and O'Brien's accounts are separated by 50 years of technological and tactical development, there are multiple similarities, such as toxic and incompetent military leadership, trench warfare, the grief of losing one's comrades, and the unwillingness to even use the word "death" - for O'Brien, death called getting "wasted" and for Remarque death is called "rot". Therefore, while the technology in warfare will change, the similarities of military leadership exploiting the young and poor and leaving generations of men dissociated and traumatized is a constant.
I highly recommend everyone to read All Quiet on the Western Front - however, note that this is a very distressing read and can be especially distressing for those who have served. Please consider viewing content warnings about this book before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal death, Racism, Sexual content, Excrement, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
felivrin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Medical content
ninjamuse's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
wyabook234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Bullying and Vomit
chitti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
very raw :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
corporatelobotomy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
holy mother of god. i don't think i can ever move on from this. to conclude:
"parting from my friend albert kropp was very hard.
but a man gets used to that sort of thing in the army."
"parting from my friend albert kropp was very hard.
but a man gets used to that sort of thing in the army."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
alice_appleby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Excrement, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, and War